Atlantic Broadband, BTN needs compromise

April 12, 2009

Congratulations to the Penn State men's basketball team, which just finished the most successful season in their history.

How very unfortunate that they were not able to garner a big fan base during the season due to their lack of cable television exposure in the Altoona area.

I'm not really sure who gets the blame here. On one hand, The Big Ten Network is not something I'd pay a premium for - even if Atlantic Broadband was open minded enough to offer it.

The concept of this network is a headscratcher. I can't figure out the target audience. I really don't care to watch anyone in the Big Ten except for Penn State. I can watch teams that I have no affiliation with on the various ESPN networks. A couple of football games that get mandated to that network and a dozen or so basketball games are all I'd be interested in. Having said that, Atlantic Broadband is remiss in not offering the network to its customers.

So, how about a compromise? Atlantic Broadband and The Big Ten Network need to find a way to hammer out a deal to offer Penn State athletics separate from the rest of the package.

Then the cable company could broadcast the games that interest the paying customers the most on one of the basic tiers. Yank one of those shopping channels for a couple hours. Or one of those wasted channels that shows infomercials 18 hours a day. Maybe approach the PSU athletic department to help subsidize in some way. The athletic department has to realize what four games worth of exposure during the NIT tournament did for the "bandwagon."

Get the fan base built on television, and it will translate into ticket sales.

There has to be a way to cut through the stalled negotiations and cut a deal, one that is in the best interest of the network, the cable company and most importantly, the paying customers.

Until then, I guess I'll continue to tune in to the radio broadcasts and enjoy the play-by-play of Steve Jones.

Don Ciambotti

Altoona

NIT run more beneficial

I think Penn State got better national exposure from winning the NIT than we would have gotten from making The Dance and losing in the first round.

I'm not necessarily happy about missing out on The Dance, but I see great things coming from the NIT experience. And that 37-busload thing was incredible.

Combine that with JoePa's enthusiasm and it was a big time for PSU.

Rick Weber

Houston

Loved PSU coverage

I really like how the Mirror keeps me updated on March Madness, and I especially like how Penn State was covered in the NIT Final Four.

Thanks for making the Altoona Mirror a great paper.

Tyler Rydbom

Tyrone

Let Rudel, Giger coach

There is only one logical choice for Altoona High School football coach: Neil Rudel. Cory Giger should be his assistant.

Between "tweedly dee and tweedly dumb," AHS will be the best program in the state as they are the two most brilliant sports minds in the country, and when JoePa leaves us they will be ready to take over that sorry program.